Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Toxoplasmosis and Mood Swings (part 1 of 2)

Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most common parasites in the world. Sixty million people are infected by this parasite and develop toxoplasmosis. Although symptoms rarely emerge, they do exist and mood swings could be the least of your problems.

Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis and Mood Swings
One of the reasons why you won’t even know you’re suffering from toxoplasmosis is because many of its symptoms are similar to what you suffer from when you have mononucleosis or the flu.

Such symptoms include but are not limited to an occasional sore throat, fever and fatigue, headache, swollen lymph node, and various body aches. All these are uncomfortable to have and it’s no wonder why, if you experience more than one of them at the same time, you end up having mood swings.

Other Medical Conditions Causing Toxoplasmosis and Mood Swings
If you have recently undergone organ transplant, are currently being treated with chemotherapy or are suffering from HIV or AIDS, your condition will also put you at risk of suffering the symptoms of toxoplasmosis infection. This includes but isn’t limited to blurry vision, lung problems, seizures, poor coordination, confusion, and headache. Again, all these are certainly not pleasant to have and they can only contribute to your mood swings instead of alleviating them.

Toxoplasmosis and Mood Swings during Pregnancy
It is especially dangerous for your unborn child if you are infected by toxoplasmosis during your pregnancy. The complications can be mild to life-threatening and early detection is critical for effective treatment.

If the infection took place in the early trimester of your pregnancy, there is a lower risk of having your baby similarly infected, regardless of whether you’re suffering from its symptoms or not. Early infection, however, also means it’s possible for the baby to develop complications caused by the disease even without being infected.